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Matcha ice cream

Sometimes the only thing that will satisfy is the earthy, bitter bite of matcha ice cream followed by a sweet treat.

Based on 604 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Matcha Cafe Maiko image 1
Matcha Cafe Maiko image 2
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Dessert shop

Small dessert shop offers cozy, charming ambiance with no seating, encouraging quick visits or takeout. Matcha soft serve and ice cream stand out for their rich, authentic flavor and creamy texture. Busy atmosphere often leads to lines, reflecting its popularity for high-quality matcha products.

Desserts here come in large portions and taste delicious. This spot stands out as a solid dessert destination in Chinatown.

Soft-served matcha ice cream offers a strong matcha flavor with a bitter finish and is not too sweet. It comes in a waffle cone and pairs well with drinks like the Matcha Latte Float.

People are saying

"I had the best matcha soft serve, it was so rich."

"I thought the matcha ice cream was the best I had ever tasted."

"The matcha desserts are rich, creamy, and authentic."

Good to know

1

The cafe gets busy often, so expect a wait.

2

There is no seating inside the cafe.

3

Prices are high for the portion sizes.

02
Somisomi image 1
Dessert shop

Small, modern dessert shop with open kitchen where Taiyaki is made fresh. Atmosphere feels fun and inviting with a crowded, lively vibe especially on weekends. Limited indoor seating encourages enjoying treats in the nearby plaza hangout area.

Soft serve stands out as a popular choice, especially the fish-shaped desserts and ube ice cream. These offer a unique twist on classic treats, making it a solid spot for trying different dessert styles.

Matcha ice cream features a red bean filling that adds a sweet contrast. The texture is creamy with a strong, authentic matcha flavor.

People are saying

"The warm, crispy taiyaki cones are amazing with the creamy soft serve ice cream."

"I loved how they topped the ice cream with a macaron."

"The warm taiyaki cones with creamy soft serve are the best desserts."

Good to know

1

Avoid peak times to prevent long wait times.

2

There are no seats inside, so plan to eat standing or take it to go.

3

Expect wait times of 20-25 minutes during busy hours.

03
Tea Master Matcha Cafe and Green Tea Shop image 1

Small space with bamboo accents and soft lighting creates a traditional tea house feel. Atmosphere stays calm and chill, welcoming for a midday break. Long lines form during peak hours, with a spacious outdoor seating area offering a place to enjoy drinks.

Matcha soft serve stands out as a popular dessert here, enjoyed by many over several years. Customers often eat it outside, creating a casual and social vibe while waiting or after meals.

Soft serve matcha ice cream here is creamy and smooth with a beautiful color and a great matcha flavor. It is not too sweet and often dusted with matcha powder for extra taste.

People are saying

"The matcha soft serve is the best I've ever had."

"This matcha soft serve dessert is so smooth and not too sweet."

"I thought the matcha ice cream was the best I had."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $4 and is validated.

2

The entrance to the cafe is accessible.

3

The cafe specializes exclusively in matcha.

04
Nasung Donkasu image 1
Restaurant

Open kitchen and bright, clean design create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with K-pop music adding energy. Small space offers both indoor and outdoor seating with elegant presentation using traditional Korean utensils. Service feels attentive, and touches like lemon-infused water enhance the dining experience.

Sweet rice cake skewers offer a delicious finish. Green tea ice cream comes with a cute design and the ice cream selection is highly recommended.

Unbelievably creamy and balanced, the homemade matcha ice cream offers a rich, sweet flavor without being too sweet. Handmade with care, it stands out for its smooth texture and delicious taste.

People are saying

"The Bulgogi here is so flavorful and comforting."

"I found the handmade matcha ice cream to be rich and delicious."

"The desserts here are delicious and tasty."

Good to know

1

Parking is easy to find nearby the restaurant.

2

Canned soda is the only drink option; no refillable fountain drinks available.

3

Portion sizes are generous, ensuring a filling meal.

05
Maruwu Seicha - SF Japantown image 1

Small shop with minimalist decor featuring wood panels and dark green highlights creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. Busy with a steady flow, it offers outdoor seating and a kiosk for quick orders. Known for award-winning matcha and creamy soft serve, it draws a crowd despite higher prices.

Little dessert tarts come in fantastic flavors. A variety of Japanese desserts and drinks offer more to explore on another visit.

Creamy and silky texture stands out in the matcha soft serve, avoiding the watery feel common in Americanized versions. The matcha ice cream comes in a generous size and pairs well with a matcha latte for a rich experience.

People are saying

"I thought the matcha here was really good and creamy."

"The soft serve ice cream here is so smooth and milky."

"I found the matcha ice cream here to be rich, earthy, and vibrant."

Good to know

1

Ordering at the register is much faster than using the self-service iPad.

2

Expect long wait times, especially during peak hours.

3

Prices are on the high side, with matcha lattes costing nearly $8.

06
MyCha - Garden Grove image 1
Ice cream shop

Spacious shop with large windows offers a chill atmosphere and several tables for relaxing. Board games and modded game systems provide entertainment alongside high-quality matcha ice cream known for its strong, pure flavor. The vibe suits casual hangouts with friends or family.

A large menu offers a variety of desserts focused on matcha flavors. The Golden matcha ice cream stands out as a healthy dessert option with rich textures and natural flavors.

Offers 100% Gold Matcha ice cream with a pure gold flavor. The matcha ice cream is consistently excellent and pairs well with items like the Matcha Latte Float and Banana Matcha, which tastes like an iced matcha latte turned into ice cream.

People are saying

"The banana matcha soft serve was super delicious and perfectly balanced."

"You have to try these matcha desserts; the flavor is so strong and good."

"I thought the matcha ice cream was excellent."

Good to know

1

The shop does not have a restroom available for use.

2

Parking is usually easy to find.

3

Cones are $7.50 and sundaes are $11.50.

07
Kiss of Matcha image 1

Small, traditional Japanese-style tea house with a cozy minimalist interior and strong tea aroma. Atmosphere feels warm and calming despite limited seating and occasional crowding. Known for creamy, deeply flavored matcha soft serve that stands out among similar spots.

Matcha-themed desserts and ice cream stand out with high quality and unique flavor. A good selection of desserts pairs well with drinks, offering exceptional value through mystery dessert deals.

Soft serve matches the authentic matcha flavor found in Japan. The ice cream appears in layered desserts like parfaits with red beans, brown sugar jelly, and mochi. It offers a rich, creamy texture but contains lactose.

People are saying

"The matcha soft serve is creamy with a strong, grassy flavor."

"The matcha desserts here are rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced."

"The matcha ice cream here tastes like authentic Japanese matcha."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times after 2pm; visit in the morning for shorter waits.

2

They offer a rewards program with $2 ice cream on Tuesdays.

3

Street parking is available, but the area can be busy.

08
Millet Crepe - Little Tokyo image 1
Dessert restaurant

Small dessert spot offers unique crepe service with self-order kiosks and indoor and outdoor seating. Atmosphere feels cozy and lively despite tight space and occasional crowding. Crepes stand out as rich and flavorful, especially crรจme brรปlรฉe varieties.

Creme brรปlรฉe dessert crepe stands out with a light, fresh texture and balanced sweetness. The custard offers a rich, filling flavor that feels both elevated and homey.

Creme brulee crepes come with matcha ice cream that lacks strong matcha flavor. Mochi served alongside is incredibly hard. Custard-filled animal crepes also feature the same ice cream on top.

People are saying

"The crรจme brรปlรฉe crepe's caramelized top and creamy custard are amazing."

"The crรจme brรปlรฉe crepe dessert is amazing with caramelized sugar."

"The creme brulee crepe with matcha ice cream was always amazing."

Good to know

1

This location does not accept cash; only cards and Apple Pay are accepted.

2

The place gets packed quickly due to its popularity and has limited seating.

3

Parking is difficult; consider using Japanese Market Plaza or street parking.

09
Matcha Cafe Maiko - Escondido image 1

Small dessert shop offers a calm, meditative atmosphere with cozy seating and modern wood accents. Soft serve ice cream features authentic matcha and ube flavors that stand out for quality and taste. Space feels welcoming and relaxing, ideal for quiet chats or study breaks.

Desserts feature sweet ube and mildly bitter matcha flavors. The matcha powder enhances the taste, and there are many dessert options to choose from.

Green tea ice cream tastes like matcha ice cream from Japan. The Ube with matcha ice cream combo stands out.

People are saying

"I thought the matcha was worth the price and very tasty."

"The matcha and ube desserts are creamy and flavorful."

"This matcha ice cream tastes like the real deal from Japan."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required, but seating is limited.

2

Expect a 10-minute wait for honey toast orders.

3

Drinks are priced around $8-9, with an extra $1 charge for no ice.

10
OISHII MATCHA image 1

Small cafe with a calm, modern vibe and glass divider that adds charm. Seating includes a bench inside and several small outdoor tables, encouraging a relaxed pace. Known for matcha soft serve with a strong, earthy flavor and creamy texture.

Offers a wide range of matcha desserts including lattes, ice cream cones, and boba sundaes. Focuses on fresh matcha flavors in a casual setting.

Rich, earthy flavor defines the matcha ice cream with a smooth, creamy texture. It leans sweeter than usual, which some find too much, but others appreciate the perfect amount of sweetness.

People are saying

"The staff here is so friendly and offered me matcha advice."

"The matcha ice cream has a rich, earthy flavor."

"The matcha desserts here are very good."

Good to know

1

Most orders are to go due to the lack of space inside.

2

The establishment does not have a bathroom for customers.

3

They ran out of Black Sesame and Hojicha flavors on that day.

11
Yamari image 1
Tea house

Clean, relaxing tea house with a welcoming atmosphere offers authentic matcha flavors and high-quality Japanese soft serve. The space features stylish black cones that enhance the dessert presentation. Plenty of parking and no extra charge for alternative milks add to the convenience.

Multiple varieties of matcha drinks, ice cream, and desserts are available. The cone is black and stylish, adding an elegant touch to the dessert.

Super rich matcha ice cream offers a slightly bitter but balanced flavor without too much sweetness. It stands out from typical soft serve with its deep matcha taste and creamy texture.

People are saying

"I loved the super rich matcha soft serve, it wasn't too sweet."

"The matcha desserts here taste so rich and authentic."

"I tasted one of the best matcha ice creams ever."

Good to know

1

You can enter via the main Mitsuwa Market entrance, then take a left to find it.

2

Parking is plentiful in the outside lot.

3

There was no wait when I arrived around 2:30 on a rainy Friday.

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